sex powerful enough to make her cry for the beauty of it. It still shook her.
She sighed, trying to relax as they cruised just outside Prill’s gravitational pull.
A collection of ruddy-pink patches of Prill’s open plains and the yellow tufts of Surrilla trees were easily distinguishable at this distance. Mild climates, concentration of different gasses and its position as fifth planet in the system gave vegetation a dreamy hue. One day she hoped to have a vacation home by one of the Decoran lakes.
“I’m going to ask that you be allowed to stand guard during negotiations,” she said calmly.
She could feel his curious gaze on her profile. “You want me to watch?”
“I want you to make sure he doesn’t hurt me in my current state.” Her cheeks flushed hot. She knew it wasn’t a fair request, but her nerves were shot. She’d never been anything but absolutely confident with herself. It had only recently become apparent that part of that was due to her natural emotional restraint.
“If you need me, I’m there,” he answered flatly.
Tarrel made an adjustment to the flight path. They skimmed the silver surface of the moon, close enough to see the timeless craters and the outline of the mine on its horizon. She’d been protecting the Emissary when that deal was brokered too.
“Thank you,” she acknowledged.
“I could turn the skiff around right now, if you asked me to.”
“I made a deal.”
“It can be broken,” he snapped.
She turned, all her nerves flaring to the service as she struggled to contain herself. “Not unless you want to go back to Elara and explain our treason.”
“They can’t make you spread your legs for this guy,” he insisted.
“They aren’t making me,” she shouted. She took several breaths. “King Thrax’s cooperation is hugely important to us. I’m the only thing he’s ever agreed to barter for. My ethics aren’t as important as that ore mine we just passed. Besides, it was my decision.”
“They coerced you,” he argued back angrily.
“They didn’t. I agreed.”
“Before you were inhibited. But now? How do you feel about it now?” he pressed.
Damn, he’d asked point-blank. She tried not to answer but her mouth was moving before the command would hold. “I’m excited.”
“Excited? Excited? To be fucked over a political move? What the hell are you thinking?”
And again with the direct questions. “I’m thinking that King Thrax is a very attractive man who makes me wet between my legs when I think of him rutting on me and if I could have both of you without consequences, I’d gladly live the rest of my life in bed.”
A surprised laugh escaped him. “What?”
“You heard me. Please stop asking questions.”
Mischievousness twinkled in the depths of his blue eyes. “I forgot about the truth aspect of that inoculation you took. I guess I figured an Elaran had some resistance to the medicine, but it looks like you’re as susceptible as a human. Damn, I can’t believe I missed out on two days of absolute truth.”
“Shut up. Please.”
“So, Neela, how badly do you want to suck my cock?” he asked cheerfully.
“Really badly. I want to feel it slide across my tongue and hit the back of my throat. I want to taste you and see if you taste salty or sweet. I want to hear you moan,” she clapped a hand over her mouth, horrified. “I want your balls to bounce on my chin.”
“Holy fuck,” he breathed.
She could see the wheels turning in his mind. She shook her head in warning. “I’m going to beat your ass when this is over, so help me God.”
“Two more questions,” he said.
“No!”
“Are you keeping your distance from me because you want to be clean for the King, or because I scare you?”
“Yes.”
“I see. So there’s a little of both in there,” he murmured. “Last question. How do you feel about me?”
She searched her mind, amazed when words didn’t just appear on her tongue. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly.
“Fair enough. Have you ever wanted me before the inhibitor?” he asked.
“You said two! Yes. All the time, I just never wanted to risk the relationship we had.” Deflated, she turned away from him. Half the things she’d said, she hadn’t even known herself until she was telling him. It was a lot to absorb.
He shook himself to clear the very unprofessional thoughts he was having about deep-throated blowjobs. He shifted and cleared his throat.
The last thing he needed was her to think he was only about the sex. Sure, she’d planted that fantastic mental picture, but he’d kind of forced it out of her with the question. He needed to get on the right track. He needed something safe and easy. Something they shared that related to their relationship as it had always been.
“How’s your brother?” he asked, trying for a casual conversations-which had nothing to do with her body in any way.
Her cheek lifted, telling him that she’d smiled though her face was away from him. “Terrified by fatherhood. They’re expecting their first…and second and third by next week.”
He tried to ignore the way her smoky voice stroked along every erotic nerve in his body.
“Triplets? Poor bastard. I hope they’re exactly like their father and aunt. After the trouble the two of you caused, it’s only right.”
She chuckled, her deep brown eyes sparkling with humor when she looked at him. “My mother has lit twenty- seven candles in petition for exactly the same thing.”
She seemed to relax. He breathed easier knowing he’d chosen the right topic.
“I knew I liked your mother.”
“She’s very proud of you. You should hear her talk about your military accomplishments and how she used to feed you as many jondala rolls as you could eat.”
“Does she mention that I’m your favorite pilot?” he asked.
Neela grinned. “She might say that from time to time.”
He laughed easily.
Neela’s expression grew serious as they skimmed the plant’s atmosphere. He began his trajectory sequence.
“Elaran skiff Alpha Victor Three Three Deuce requesting permission to land at Royal Gate three,” he said, identifying their craft.
“Elaran skiff Alpha Victor Three Three Deuce identity clearance confirmed. You are okay to land,” a man’s voice returned.
He glanced at Neela. “You may want to hold on. There’s a lot of weather today.”
Tarrel guided the craft through rain streaking the windshield as lightening bolted across the sky. Each thunderous rumble vibrated through the hull, right into his body. Neela clutched the armrest showing unusual anxiety.
The skiff bounced around in the lower atmosphere as he guided it to the dock, landed and deployed the latching mechanism. Neela’s body tightened as the skiff powered down.
The hatch door opened to the docking hall beyond where two armed escorts awaited her. That was standard protocol, even if delivering Neela to the King’s private chamber wasn’t. Neela half-turned in the archway before stepping into their custody.
“Join me,” she reminded.
He moved beside her and the guards blocked their exit.
Neela smiled nervously at them. “I’m in your custody willingly, but I’d like my escort to make sure that the king
